Introducing older cats to each other

[StarsShineBrightly]

Has any one done this?

Have one female cat, 16, who mainly sleeps. Have kind of found ourselves in a position of taking on another cat. She's been abandoned in a way... originally we were told she was 1 or 2, but it turns out she's closer to 8 years old!

She's a lovely cat and was quickly affectionate and now feel I can't say no as older cats are difficult to rehome.

I don't want to upset my 16 year old cat either, just wondering if anyone has any experience at these ages?!

And any tips.

We're going to keep then separated for a bit and keep swopping bedding between them so they can get used to the smell of each other and I've got felliway going. Anything else we can do to ease the process for both cats?

Following for tips as I plan on doing this too. Someone of mumsnet told me to google “slow introductions” and take it very slowly. A long, slow journey.

Yes, I'm thinking slowly is definitely the way forward.

New cat currently in one room, old cat upstairs. No idea how aware of each other they are!

A calm start. I am sure that the old cat will catch the scent and know that the new cat is there, Inthink the aim is to minimise agression and help them to like each other, eventually. Hope it goes well.

Yep. I plonked Cheddar then aged 6 down on the floor in her box. Her new sister came for a sniff. Abd that was that. They've rubbed along happily ever since. Not best friends but original cat is extremely protective of. Cheddar

How is it going OP?

My old boy is 17ish, and I've tried, twice, to take in another stray. The old boy was having none of it! He attacked the first cat I brought in, so much so that after 5 months of it, I had to rehome her. Then the 2nd one I had stayed a fortnight and my son's neighbour had her.

In my case, our old cat won't accept another cat in the house - although he didn't use to mind next-door little female cat coming in for a quick visit.

So, after 1 week, they've had a sniff of each other a couple of times. First time resident cat hissed so we closed the door. Second time, they were introduced, both hissed and resident cat been a bit unsettled, but it's only been a week.

We're going to keep the door open a crack at meal times and see how they go.